Chelsea are reportedly delighted with the rapid development of Gessime Yassine after BlueCo beat rival groups to sign the Strasbourg winger for just £5million.
The 20-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise from French amateur football to Ligue 1 and the Morocco national team.
Yassine scored at the World Cup during the summer and has maintained his momentum since returning to Strasbourg.
His progress has now placed another young talent inside Chelsea’s wider ownership network firmly on the radar.
Chelsea watching Gessime Yassine progress
BlueCo are extremely happy with Yassine’s development and believe their £5m investment could prove significant, according to TEAMtalk’s latest report on the Strasbourg winger.
Manchester City’s City Football Group and Red Bull were also reportedly interested before BlueCo won the race for his signature.
Yassine joined Strasbourg from Dunkerque in January after recording three goals and eight assists in only 15 appearances during his breakthrough Ligue 2 campaign.
His rise accelerated again during the World Cup.
The winger scored in Morocco’s 4-2 victory over Haiti to become his country’s youngest goalscorer at a World Cup at 20 years and 214 days.
He has continued that form in France this season.
Ligue 1’s official website highlighted Yassine’s superb start after his first top-flight brace against Lens, with the winger also leading the division for successful dribbles after the opening two rounds.
Strasbourg pathway gives Chelsea close view
There is currently no agreement for Yassine to become a Chelsea player.
That distinction matters.
He belongs to Strasbourg rather than Chelsea, but BlueCo’s ownership of both clubs gives the Blues’ sporting hierarchy an unusually close view of his development.
Chelsea have already demonstrated how significant the Strasbourg pathway can become.
Andrey Santos dramatically increased his reputation and market value during his time in Alsace before Chelsea eventually turned that development into a major transfer profit.
The Blues are also currently monitoring Conrad Harder during his own spell at Strasbourg, even though no future Stamford Bridge transfer has been agreed.
Yassine now provides another player worth tracking.
His journey has been unusually rapid, having played fifth-tier football with Istres only a few years ago before earning a move to Dunkerque, Strasbourg and ultimately the World Cup.
Two goals and an assist across his opening five league appearances this season have only strengthened his profile.
Chelsea should not be described as having signed their next winger.
What they do have is one of Ligue 1’s most interesting young attackers developing inside the same ownership structure, with BlueCo reportedly delighted by the progress of a player they secured for only £5m.
Chelsea remain keen on Giorgio Scalvini despite new Atalanta contract
Chelsea remain keen on Giorgio Scalvini despite new Atalanta contract
Chelsea monitor Feyenoord star Gjivai Zechiël ahead of January
Chelsea monitor Feyenoord star Gjivai Zechiël ahead of January